This blog has nothing to do with gorillas (though I love 'em)...fellow bloggers have inspired me to share vintage images of Disneyland from my personal collection. But don't be surprised if you see something from a World's Fair, Knott's Berry Farm, or someplace else that is cool!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Here are a few more lovely photos taken at dusk back in January of 1962. The lighting and color in these is so unusual that I quite like them. I originally did not post them because I was unable to get them to a presentable state, but the new scanner blah blah blah. You've heard it before!

SO, here's a really great shot of Cascade Peak as seen from the Mark Twain, with Tom Sawyer Island in the foreground. Look at how busy the island is! To the right is Teeter Totter Rock, and in the middle is "Merry-Go-Round Rock". The mist makes Cascade Peak appear even larger. To the left, a line of guests head up the side of Castle Rock... it's like a miniature version of Everest climbers and their trusty Sherpas.

Next is a wider shot of Castle Rock and more of the island. Those who don't live in Southern California might be surprised to learn that we do have occasional days of misty, foggy weather. In this case it makes for a very evocative photograph. Wouldn't you love to be there?

Couldn't agree more with @Nanook about that first photo. I have said it many times before here at GDB, but it is worth repeating. BRING BACK CASCADE PEAK! The sounds of falling water and the roar of Big Thunder Falls striking the Rivers of America and the natural cooling system it delivered was amazing.

A waterfall is what all of us desire to see whenever we visit a wilderness area (natural or otherwise). People hike to what... waterfalls! Russel and Mr Fredrickson take their house where... Paradise FALLS. Imagine that seen where the fog clears and Mr. Fredrickson looks out sees that beautiful waterfall. You may build Star Wars land, but use this opportunity to bring back Cascade Peak or something even more beautiful!

Finally, in the second photo, I like seeing the warm glow of a single lantern hanging off the pole at Huck's Landing.

Nanook, the misty weather adds so much to these vintage shots… you really don’t see anything like them. They are certainly unique to my collectioni.

Monkey Cage Kurt, I thought about it, but I like to mix it up! It keeps people on their toes. You ARE on your toes, aren’t you?

Matthew, I wish they would bring back Cascade Peak, but just can’t see them spending the money on something like that. If only there was some way to put it in and incorporate the Big Thunder coaster (since we won’t get our Mine Train back). You don’t need to convince ME that it should be done. Who knows, there might even be a bunch of Imagineers who think it’s a good idea - but without funding, we are out of luck.

Matthew & Major, I heard (read) rumor that Disney is building some sort of a waterfall mountain range for the railroad to pass through and keep Star Wars Land visually separated from the Rivers of America. We shall see, but I'm not bettin' the farm on it.

Monkey Cage Kurt, I had to look up “Kashyyyk Peak” because I didn't have a clue as to what you were referring to. Shows how much I lack in knowledge of all things Star Wars. Guess I haven't quite reached status as a true Star Wars fan.

JG, thanks! There are a few more from this batch, maybe not quite as nice, but still interesting.

K. Martinez, well, that would be interesting if they do it right I suppose. I know it is all too early to say though.

Monkey Cage Kurt, I see that K. Martinez (in his following comment) and I were in the same boat, I did not know what “Kashyyk” was. I would almost be happy if they built a roller coaster in Star Wars Land. Please, no more projection-based attractions.

You know, if they skirt the D-land railroad along the Rivers of America to the south of Star Wars Land they could make a very nice wooden trestle partly in the water itself. The new route would overlap the old Nature's Wonderland Railroad, only heading in the opposite direction. A facade mountain backdrop with nice waterfalls and landscaping on the Frontierland side might be VERY picturesque. You would be able to see a much longer stretch of the railroad from Tom Sawyer’s Island and the Mark Twain, and vies-versa from the train. Now THAT would be AWESOME!

The route would have to pass to the north of Big Thunder and behind Storybook Land, cut north upward toward Small World and then rejoin the original tracks. It would be a somewhat meandering path, but I think the small gauge could handle it.

Monkey Cage Kurt, I was thinking about that very same thing......if they would maybe put the train over the water. Not that I want to see that! I wish they would just leave the train where it is, and the river too! Tokyo Disneyland's train has a section of track that is over the river on a wooden trestle that curves around along the shore of the river, so that is what gave me the idea that they could possible do the same here. Whatever they do, it all seems like a waste of money. I wonder why they can't just stick the new land in the Big Thunder Ranch and the backstage area behind it and leave everything else alone.

TokyoMagic!, I was alarmed when rumor was Mickey's Toontown would be eliminated for Star Wars Land. Now I wish it was Toontown that they eliminated instead of truncating Frontierland's Rivers of America.

Ken, I was worried when the rumors were circulating that Star Wars Land would take over Tomorrowland. I was relieved when I heard that it was going into the B.T. Ranch and backstage, but when I started to hear about it spreading (like a disease) over to the rest of Frontierland, I found myself wishing it was just going into Tomorrowland. It's weird that Tomorrowland now has this major Star Wars overlay in practically every corner of the land. I'm wondering if that overlay will remain in place until the new land opens.

TokyoMagic! I don’t know if it’s a waste of money necessarily. It would indeed be expensive to do this, but not outside the payback they are going to gain from their Star Wars investment. And let’s face it Disneyland is forever more ALL about Star Wars. But I think it’s a better idea than sending the railroad through a BIG LONG tunnel the entire length of the new land. Besides, I think it would be nice to once again see a steam train along the banks of the Rivers of America.

Ken, TokyoMagic!, guys, don’t hate me, but…I am SO burned out on Tomorrowland! It just doesn’t hold my attention at all anymore. They’ve taken away every single attraction that made it cool, and in absolutely no way shape or form does it feel like “tomorrow”. DARE I SAY…it should’ve been scrapped and converted into Star Wars Land. I know, I know “BLASPHEME” please don’t hate me.

Monkey Cage Kurt, I don't hate you! I'm actually wishing the same thing now. Tomorrowland was ruined in '98 and it hasn't been the same ever since. What is futuristic about Nemo or the Marvel characters? Or Star Wars for that matter? Didn't Star Wars take place in the past? A LONG TIME AGO......? I know I'm being nitpickey! But since Tomorrowland is already ruined, I feel like it would be better to just ruin it even further with more Star Wars instead of shoehorning those characters into Frontierland and ruining that land too. :-(

Monkey Cage Kurt, It seems unclear to most of us non-Imagineers as to what exactly the plan is for the train. If they re-route it but at least do a nice job, with a mountainside and beautiful waterfalls, it might take some of the sting out of the changes to Frontierland. I’m not convinced they will do this, though. I do wonder how “meandering” the path is going to be.

TokyoMagic!, yeah, I don’t know if I need the train to go over the water. I’m not crazy about the idea of change, but it’s going to happen! Tunnels aren’t the answer, since you are then in a long stretch of darkness. At least they could put in something nice to look at.

K. Martinez, trust me, they aren’t done with projections. In fact they are probably just getting started. Other than Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin, I have no attachment to Toontown AT ALL. If the rest of it vanished tomorrow I wouldn’t miss it. But that’s just me.

TokyoMagic!, In a way I wish that the “Third Gate” thing would happen with Star Wars Land. It would certainly have enough drawing power to make it worthwhile. And it would leave “our park” alone.

Monkey Cage Kurt, I admit that I would miss Space Mountain, but that’s about it. I like the Autopia, I suppose. But you’re right, they’ve pretty much neutered that whole land to the point that it is a shadow of its former shadow.

TokyoMagic!, arg, I forgot about the Marvel characters. I’m sorry, but when I think “Disney”, I don’t think “Captain America” or “Thor”. Those properties are fun, but… eh, I’m just wasting my breath. The powers that be don’t care.

TokyoMagic!, “Shoehorning” is a good word! In fact it’s probably the best word to describe it. I always say “crossover”. I HATE crossovers! Junk like R2D2 with Mickey ears, YAUGH! But yes Shoehorning, it’s just so stupid! I just hope they don’t buy anymore preexisting franchises. I hate to see them Shoehorn Hello Kitty into Frontierland or something. If there’s money in it I wouldn’t put it past them.

I’m glad you agree about Tomorrowland TM!, I guess Ken said it too. I’d been thinking it for some time now but was afraid to say it out loud.

I’ve never been on the Finding Nemo Subs, but I didn’t even like the Pixar film, and from what I’ve seen on YouTube I have absolutely NO desire at all to go on the stupid ride.

Marvel characters??? Boy! I am REALLY out of the loop. Where the heck did they put the Marvel characters? I’m getting sick just thinking about that!

Monkey Cage Kurt, they "shoehorned" the Marvel characters into Innoventions. There is some kind of Iron Man exhibit and while you are there, you can also meet Thor and Captain America......because you know you want to. I have not been in Innoventions since any of the Marvel stuff was added. I have only seen pictures of this stuff.

Major, I agree....I would miss Space Mt. I would also miss the Sub Lagoon (but not the Nemo part of it). I don't think I would miss anything else in Tomorrowland. You would think that a third gate with a combination of Marvel and Star Wars would be a sure hit.

Oh barf! Thanks TM! Carousel Theater has had a gapping identity deficit ever since they axed America Sings, one more reason why I gravitate away from TomorrowLand.

Back when I was going to the park all the time, my girlfriend one day asked me why we don’t ever go over to TomorrowLand. She wanted to go, reluctantly I agreed, so we went over there and spent a couple hours. Before too long she said “oh, that’s why, it’s so boring!”. That was around mid 1990s I think.